A MASS screening programme to find and treat bowel cancer earlier will be launched in Halton next month.

Bowel cancer is the third most common form of cancer and affects about 200 people in Halton and St Helens each year.

The simple screening test, which is done at home, is for men and women aged between 60 and 69 and it will mean that more early cancers can be found and treated.

It is much more common in people at or after retirement, which is why the screening programme is targeting those in their sixties.

Fiona Johnstone, director of public health for Halton and St Helens, said: 'This simple test, taken at home, is a really good way of finding bowel cancers early, when they can be treated more simply and successfully.

'People in their sixties will be getting an invitation letter through the normal post starting in Se ptember.

'Please do send off for a test kit - the test is easy and could save your life.'

Easy test to do at home

AN invitation letter and an information leaflet will be sent to 30,000 people who are in their sixties in the two boroughs.

About two weeks later they will be sent a testing kit in the post along with step-by-step instructions for completing it at home

before sending the samples to a laboratory in a special, foil-lined, Freepost envelope.

The results will sent back within a fortnight.

The test works by detecting tiny amounts of blood which cannot be seen by the naked eye in bowel motions.

Although the test does not diagnose cancer, the results will indicate whether further investigations are required.

* Further information is available from NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or at www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel